(from GM Press
Release) A specially outfitted 2006 Corvette Z06 will
serve as the official pace car of the 48 th running of the Daytona
500, on Feb. 19. “Tonight Show” host and auto enthusiast Jay Leno
will drive the pace car.

The Daytona 500 is NASCAR’s premier race and traditionally kicks off
the Nextel Cup racing season. Selection of the Z06 model marks the
second consecutive year that a Corvette has been selected as the
Daytona 500 pace car.

“It is a wonderful honor to have Corvette serve once again as the
Daytona 500 pace car,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.
“Chevrolet has a long, successful history at Daytona and there’s no
better vehicle to showcase our performance legacy than the Corvette
Z06 – a car that was born on the race track.”

The Corvette Z06 that will serve as the Daytona 500 pace car is
mechanically identical to those available at Chevrolet dealerships.
It is the fastest vehicle ever offered by Chevrolet and General
Motors. With 505 horsepower (377 kw) and 470 lb.-ft. of torque (637
Nm) from its 7.0L all-aluminum, racing-inspired engine, the Corvette
Z06 leaps from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 198
mph. It also differs from other production Corvette models with
extensive use of lightweight materials, including carbon-fiber front
fenders and a chassis comprised of aluminum and magnesium. A
racing-ready suspension and large, 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch
rear wheels help keep it glued to the tarmac, so it requires no
drivetrain modifications to satisfy its role in front of the racing
pack. In its official capacity, however, the pace car is outfitted
with a variety of safety equipment and highly visible strobe lights.

Interestingly, the Corvette Z06’s 505-horsepower (377 kw) output is
actually more than the power produced by the race cars that will
compete in the Daytona 500 – a first for a pace car. This is because
of the unique “restrictor plate” rule established for the Daytona
and Talladega , Ala. racetracks. On these 2.5-mile-long super
speedways, the restrictor plate reduces airflow into the engine to
limit horsepower and keep race car speeds below 200 mph. With a
restrictor plate, racing engine power is reduced from about 750
horsepower to about 450 horsepower. Race cars can still average more
than 190 mph on Daytona’s long straights.

The Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 wears a unique paint scheme, inspired
by the hot-to-cool color transition of a space capsule entering
Earth’s atmosphere at a high rate of speed. The paint scheme is
carried out with an elaborate, interlocking scallops design – a
twist on hot rod-style flames – that blends “hot” Lemon Drop yellow
at the nose of the Corvette with Lemon Glow, Amber Ecstasy, Blazing
Copper and Hot Poppy. The colors culminate with a cool Sapphire
Trance blue color at the rear of the vehicle. DuPont, the sponsor of
Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 Monte Carlo, supplied the colors, which are
from the company’s “Hot Hues” line of automotive paint.

“As if the Corvette Z06 needed help in looking fast, the intricate
paintwork of the pace car gives it the appearance of tremendous
speed,” said Peper. “It is one of the most elaborate and stunning
vehicle designs we’ve created.”

Leno behind the wheel

Jay Leno, host of the
“Tonight Show” and an unabashed auto enthusiast, will drive the
Corvette Z06 during opening ceremonies and the pace laps that start
the race. Leno, who has a large collection of vintage automobiles
and motorcycles, has previous experience as a pace car driver.

Chevrolet returns to the Daytona 500 with 18 victories – the most of
any manufacturer – including last year’s champion Jeff Gordon.
Chevrolet also returns as the defending manufacturer’s cup champion,
an award that has been bestowed 29 times. Also, defending Nextel Cup
champion Tony Stewart drives the No. 20 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for
Joe Gibbs Racing.

“The Corvette Z06 already is a performance legend and the fans will
enjoy seeing it lead their favorite drivers around Daytona’s famous
tri-oval,” said Robin Braig, president of Daytona International
Speedway. “It promises to be a great race, and kicking it off with a
Corvette at the head of the pack is the best way to start.”

The Daytona 500 is one of the largest events in motorsports, drawing
more than 168,000 fans to the track and attracting nearly 11 million
American television viewers. It also is broadcast around the world.